At the office of Simply Smiles Dental Brooklyn, we rely on advanced imaging to make confident, well-informed treatment decisions. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is a three-dimensional dental imaging tool that reveals anatomical detail beyond what traditional two-dimensional X-rays can show. When precise visualization of teeth, bone, nerves, and sinus structures matters, CBCT provides the clarity clinicians need to plan safely and predictably.
Our team uses CBCT selectively and thoughtfully as part of a comprehensive diagnostic approach. The goal is simple: combine high-quality imaging with clinical expertise so each patient receives a treatment plan tailored to their anatomy and oral health goals. Below you’ll find an in-depth look at how CBCT works, where it applies, and what patients can expect when this technology is part of their care.
CBCT scanners rotate around the patient’s head while capturing a series of X-ray images from multiple angles. These images are reconstructed by software into a volumetric dataset — essentially a 3D model of the jaws, teeth, and surrounding tissues. Clinicians can view this dataset as cross-sectional slices, panoramic-style images, and detailed 3D renderings, which together provide a much richer picture than conventional dental X-rays.
Unlike full-body medical CT machines, dental CBCT devices are optimized for oral and maxillofacial anatomy. They use a cone-shaped X-ray beam and a single rotation to collect the necessary data quickly, often in less than a minute. This efficiency reduces the chance of motion blur and speeds the diagnostic process, making it practical for routine use in many dental specialties.
The resulting images support precise measurements of bone thickness, angles, and distances — information that’s critical when planning surgical procedures, evaluating pathology, or assessing complex anatomy. Because the data set is digital, it can be integrated with other tools such as intraoral scans and planning software to create surgical guides or to simulate treatment outcomes before a procedure begins.
Treatment planning is fundamentally about understanding what’s happening beneath the surface. Two-dimensional X-rays can mask or distort structures depending on angulation and overlap; CBCT eliminates much of that ambiguity by displaying anatomy without the superimposition that limits conventional films. This clarity helps clinicians identify root morphology, assess bone volume for implants, and locate critical anatomical landmarks like the mandibular nerve or sinus floor.
For surgical cases, CBCT enables precise preoperative mapping. Surgeons can choose optimal implant length, diameter, and angulation and determine whether additional procedures (bone grafting, sinus lift) are required. In endodontics, CBCT uncovers complex root canal anatomy, resorptive defects, or hidden fractures that might be missed on standard radiographs, guiding more accurate and conservative treatment choices.
Beyond procedural logistics, three-dimensional imaging enhances diagnostic confidence. When findings are clear and reproducible across multiple views, treatment plans become more predictable, recovery expectations are better managed, and communication with patients improves because complex anatomy can be shown visually rather than described abstractly.
CBCT is versatile and supports many areas of dental care. Implant dentistry is one of the most frequent applications: the scan shows bone quantity and quality, the relationship to adjacent teeth and nerves, and the proximity to sinus cavities. This information is fundamental when deciding implant placement and avoiding complications.
In oral surgery and orthodontics, CBCT helps evaluate impacted teeth, developmental anomalies, and jaw relationships. It can reveal the exact orientation of an impacted canine, or the asymmetry of bone growth, enabling precise intervention or orthodontic planning. For temporomandibular joint (TMJ) assessment, CBCT provides detailed views of bony joint components and can reveal degenerative changes or anatomical variations that affect joint function.
CBCT also assists in diagnosing pathology such as cysts, tumors, and inflammatory lesions by showing their extent and relation to surrounding structures. When airway assessment is part of an evaluation — for example, in suspected obstructive sleep apnea — CBCT can supply useful anatomic information that contributes to a multidisciplinary diagnostic approach.
Because the scan data is digital and exportable, it also supports advanced workflows like guided implant surgery, prosthetic-driven planning, and collaboration with specialists. These capabilities make CBCT a practical diagnostic hub that enhances coordination across treatment teams.
Radiation safety is a core principle in dental imaging. Modern CBCT units are designed to limit exposure by using focused (or adjustable) fields of view and optimized scanning parameters. Clinicians follow the ALARA principle — “as low as reasonably achievable” — selecting the smallest field and lowest dose that will deliver the diagnostic information needed for a given case.
Compared with conventional medical CT scans, dental CBCT typically uses substantially less radiation, especially when limited regional scans are employed. Nonetheless, any imaging decision balances the diagnostic benefit against exposure, and CBCT is used selectively — for situations where two-dimensional imaging cannot provide adequate information for safe, effective treatment.
Operators also take practical steps to protect patients: proper positioning, immobilization to reduce motion, and the use of protective shields where appropriate. Before ordering a CBCT scan, your clinician will discuss why the image is recommended and how it will influence the proposed treatment, ensuring that the decision is clinically justified.
Scheduling a CBCT scan typically requires minimal preparation. Patients may be asked to remove metal objects from the head and neck area, such as glasses, jewelry, or removable dental appliances that could cause image artifacts. The scan itself is fast; most scans take only a few seconds of exposure within a short appointment slot, and many machines capture the entire exam in under a minute.
After acquisition, the dataset is reviewed by the treating dentist and interpreted in the context of clinical findings. Cross-sectional views and 3D reconstructions allow for measurements, assessment of pathology, and virtual treatment simulations. When necessary, images can be shared with specialists to coordinate care, and visualizations are often used to help patients understand their diagnosis and the recommended approach.
The final step is translating imaging information into action. Whether the outcome is a surgical guide for implant placement, a targeted endodontic treatment, or guidance for orthognathic planning, CBCT-derived data supports safer procedures and more predictable results. Clinicians combine that information with clinical examination and patient preferences to develop a customized plan that aligns with both health and aesthetic goals.
CBCT is a powerful diagnostic tool that enhances accuracy across many areas of dentistry while remaining patient-centered and safety-conscious. If you’d like to learn how CBCT might apply to your care at Simply Smiles Dental Brooklyn or want to discuss whether three-dimensional imaging is appropriate for your situation, please contact us for more information.
Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is a three-dimensional imaging technique designed for dental and maxillofacial applications. The scanner captures multiple X-ray projections while rotating around the head and reconstructs them into a volumetric dataset that clinicians can view as cross-sectional slices and detailed 3D renderings. This contrasts with conventional two-dimensional radiographs, which flatten complex anatomy and can obscure important structures.
Because CBCT provides depth and spatial relationships, it reveals tooth root morphology, bone contours, nerve canals, and sinus anatomy with greater clarity than panoramic or periapical films. These capabilities allow clinicians to measure distances and angles precisely and to visualize structures from multiple orientations. For many complex cases, that additional information changes diagnosis and treatment planning in meaningful ways.
Clinicians recommend CBCT when two-dimensional radiographs do not supply sufficient information for safe, effective treatment planning. Common indications include dental implant assessment, evaluation of complex root canal anatomy, assessment of impacted or ectopic teeth, and investigation of bony pathology such as cysts or tumors. CBCT is also useful for detailed temporomandibular joint evaluation and airway analysis when structural anatomy is a concern.
The technology is used selectively rather than routinely; dentists balance diagnostic benefit with radiation exposure and follow established guidelines to justify each scan. A collaborative discussion between clinician and patient typically precedes the decision to image, ensuring the scan will directly inform care. At SimplySmiles, our team uses CBCT thoughtfully as part of a comprehensive diagnostic approach.
During a CBCT exam the patient usually stands or sits while the scanner rotates around the head, capturing images from multiple angles in a single sweep. The captured projections are then reconstructed by software into a three-dimensional volumetric dataset that can be manipulated on a computer. Because the acquisition is rapid and the field of view is focused, motion artifacts are minimized and image quality is high.
Patients should expect a brief appointment where the clinician positions the head, removes metal objects, and may use simple supports to limit movement. The actual X-ray exposure often lasts only a few seconds, and most exams are completed in under a minute from start to finish. After the scan, the clinician reviews the images and discusses findings and next steps during a follow-up portion of the visit.
Radiation safety is a primary consideration when ordering CBCT, and clinicians apply the ALARA principle — as low as reasonably achievable — to limit exposure. Modern CBCT units allow selection of a small, focused field of view and adjusted exposure settings to capture only the region necessary for diagnosis. When appropriately justified, CBCT typically delivers a substantially lower dose than full-body medical CT scans, though it may be higher than a single panoramic radiograph.
Certain populations, such as pregnant patients or very young children, require special consideration and scans are avoided or deferred unless the diagnostic benefit outweighs potential risks. Your clinician will review any relevant health information before recommending imaging and will explain why CBCT is or is not appropriate for your case. Protective measures and correct positioning further reduce unnecessary exposure during the exam.
CBCT is particularly valuable in implant dentistry because it reveals the amount and quality of available bone, the location of adjacent tooth roots, and the position of vital structures like the inferior alveolar nerve and sinus cavities. This three-dimensional information enables accurate measurement of bone height and width and informs decisions about implant diameter, length, and angulation. Knowing these details in advance reduces intraoperative surprises and supports safer, more predictable implant placement.
The digital dataset can also be merged with intraoral scans to plan prosthetic-driven implant positions and to design surgical guides that translate virtual plans into precise clinical execution. These guides and simulations help the surgical team visualize final restorative goals and optimize implant positioning for long-term function and esthetics. When bone deficiencies are present, CBCT helps in planning grafting procedures or sinus augmentation before implants are placed.
Beyond implants, CBCT frequently aids in endodontics by exposing complex root canal systems, missed canals, root fractures, and periapical pathology that might not appear on two-dimensional films. Oral surgeons rely on CBCT for evaluation of impacted teeth, trauma, and jaw lesions, where the extent and relation of defects to surrounding structures determines treatment strategy. Orthodontists use CBCT to assess skeletal relationships, impacted tooth positions, and airway dimensions for cases that require three-dimensional insight.
CBCT can also detect and define the borders of cysts, benign tumors, and areas of bony inflammation, assisting in diagnosis and referral planning when specialist input is needed. Because the images are exportable, clinicians often share datasets with endodontists, oral surgeons, or radiologists to ensure a coordinated approach when complex pathology is present. This collaborative workflow improves diagnostic accuracy and helps tailor intervention to the patient’s anatomy.
CBCT data integrates smoothly with other digital tools such as intraoral scanners, digital implant planning software, and CAD/CAM systems to create cohesive treatment workflows. Combining surface scans with volumetric data permits prosthetic-driven implant planning, virtual surgical rehearsal, and fabrication of precise surgical guides. These integrations reduce guesswork, shorten treatment timelines, and support restoration designs that fit the patient’s anatomy and esthetic goals.
The digital nature of CBCT datasets also facilitates remote consultation and multidisciplinary planning, allowing specialists to evaluate the same images without repeat exposure for the patient. When necessary, clinicians can export standard DICOM files for review by radiologists or other team members, preserving diagnostic detail across platforms. This interoperability enhances communication and helps ensure treatment plans are consistent and evidence-based.
CBCT is optimized for imaging hard tissues like bone and teeth and provides excellent spatial resolution for these structures, but it has limited soft-tissue contrast compared with medical CT or MRI. While CBCT can visualize the airway space and gross soft-tissue contours, it cannot reliably image soft-tissue pathology at the same level of detail as modalities designed for soft-tissue assessment. Clinicians choose CBCT when bony anatomy is the primary concern and will recommend alternative imaging if soft-tissue evaluation is essential.
For example, suspected soft-tissue tumors, salivary gland disorders, or detailed joint soft-tissue evaluation are better served by MRI or contrast-enhanced medical CT, depending on clinical indications. When airway evaluation is needed, CBCT offers useful volumetric views of the skeletal airway which can contribute to a multidisciplinary assessment of obstructive sleep concerns. Your dentist will explain the modality best suited to answer the specific diagnostic question at hand.
Preparation for a CBCT scan is minimal: patients are typically asked to remove eyeglasses, jewelry, and removable dental appliances that could create artifacts in the image. Wear comfortable clothing and avoid metal hair accessories that might interfere with positioning or image quality. There is generally no fasting or medication change required before a dental CBCT exam.
Arrive a few minutes early so the team can confirm health history and position you properly for the scan, which helps ensure diagnostic-quality images. If you have difficulty sitting still, claustrophobia, or special mobility needs, notify the office in advance so accommodations can be made to maximize comfort and safety. Children and patients with special needs may require additional supports or the presence of a guardian during the procedure.
After acquisition, the treating clinician reviews cross-sectional slices and 3D renderings to make measurements, identify pathology, and plan treatment steps in the context of the clinical examination. The images support objective decisions such as implant sizing, endodontic access, or the need for surgical intervention and are documented in the patient record for future reference. When appropriate, the clinician will use visualizations from the CBCT dataset to explain findings and expected outcomes to the patient.
If you are a patient at SimplySmiles, your clinician will discuss how the scan results affect your personalized treatment plan and will coordinate with specialists if additional input is needed. CBCT datasets can be exported or shared electronically to facilitate referrals and to ensure a seamless continuum of care across providers. Patients should feel empowered to ask their clinician for a guided review of the images so they understand the diagnostic rationale and next steps.
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